Reader Comments (44)

Not being much of a Bubba fan seeing the post about him whining immediately drew my attention. But his comment doesn't seem that bad to me. In fact I like his attitude. He's there to compete and win. He's trying to be focused. Meanwhile, the media and a half dozen other groups want a piece of him.Yes, he could participate in a long drive contest, it wouldn't take much time. And yes, he might have couched his comments more judiciously. But, on the flip side, this isn't the MLB All Star Game and the BigBoy (PGA) Tour is not the travelling circus it once was. They don't need to do something gimmicky to inflate attendance.

You are playing a practice round. You come up to the 12th (or whatever) teebox, and there is guy standing there with a laser. You hit the driver on that hole and try and get in the fairway. Somebody measures where it landed and writes that down in a book. You continue playing. Seems really hard doesn't it ? Not a lot of "worrying" required. What is Bubba going to do, hit an iron on that hole ? Childish.

Just because the PGA has no idea how to make their championship relevant (Vote for Pin Position, Long Drive Contest) doesn't mean everybody has to bow down for them. LeBron James never participates in the dunk contest either, so what?

After his comments at the US Open about Pinehurst, and now this--which BrianS states is not some contest held at the driving range, it's during his practice round on a hole--Bubba has officially become the biggest idiot on the PGA Tour. Funniest thing I heard recently on SIRIUS PGA Tour radio was another player on the Tour calling Bubba basically the same thing. I've got a feeling most of the other players feel the same way about this clown.

Doesn't surprise me that Gerry doesn't want to participate. I hope people start to realize what a DB he is. Just remember, this is a deeply religious guy who thinks You are living in sin. When asked about DJ's situation this week, Gerry said it's "none of his business" and that he would pray. This is a self serving response that only benefits Gerry and an example of douchebaggery.

This is why I'm not and probably never will be a Bubba fan. What is the big deal here? I mean, he's going to be teeing off on the 10th tee in practice anyway, right? Why not get in the contest and try to win some money for charity? He seems to always take pride in the fact that he's never had a lesson and doesn't really like to practice yet when something like a long drive contest comes up, now he needs to practice? Really? Hitting one drive off the 10th will hinder his "practice?" I'm going to how out on a limb and guess that even if Bubba didn't practice the 10th hole, he's going to play it the same way no matter what. Blast a driver as far down the fairway as possible and hit a short iron into the green. C'mon, Bubba! Seriously?

What I think is that Bubba said to himself: "We get ONE DRIVE? ONE BALL and it has to be in the fairway? That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard." And I agree.

Perhaps the PGA honchos realized that they would never get 50 or so touring pros (already preparing for a major) to show up at the same spot for even an hour so they decided to hold the Long Drive contest during practice but the idea of one ball is a joke... you NEVER see that during a real long ball competition. Bubba could knock one out there 390 and be 30 yards ahead of the number two guy and -- whoops! -- sorry, but that ball is six inches off the fairway so you're not qualified. Three balls would make it a real contest. PGA stupidity is going to get them what they deserve: a Long Drive contest where the winner is fairway-spitting Zach Johnson.

Oh, and there was this: "When asked about DJ's situation this week, Gerry said it's "none of his business" and that he would pray. This is a self serving response that only benefits Gerry and an example of douchebaggery."

I have to conclude that you didn't really intend to sound so completely out of touch and were typing only to earn the Geoff Shackelford's "Ignorant Dolt Comment of the Week." Congratulations.... the trophy is yours.

If keeping your mouth shut and refusing to speculate about the behavior of a fellow competitor is "douchebaggery," do us a favor and let us in on what you would LIKE Bubba Watson to say. Display your brilliance.

Rory - if he enters the LD contest - will win it anyway. So, Bubba won't be missed. Some of us forget that these guys are independent contractors. They don't have a boss like we do. So, give them a break if they don't want to do something. I wish I had that kind of control at my job.

@Ben, have you ever played in a tournament that had a long drive hole? One shot only except for the drunk guys who tee it up a few times. That's what this is. What's the big deal? IT'S FOR FUN for goodness sake. Tee it up, let it fly, and if you hit it 40 yards off line or one yard off line you lose. You sound like one of those soccer parents who want a trophy for their kid for finishing last.

<< You sound like one of those soccer parents who want a trophy for their kid for finishing last. >>

Huh? A poor analogy, an irrelevant argument. I don't want the winner of a "Long Drive" contest to be the guy who carefully bunts one down the middle of the fairway and "wins" because he hit one straight while ten others bombed it by him but just off the edge of the fairway.

Three balls would be a VASTLY more effective way of determining the Longest Hitter. And yes: I've won a number of "longest drive" contests while playing in scrambles because I hit one good one down the middle but that doesn't necessarily mean I was the biggest hitter in the field. And isn't THAT what we're trying to determine here?

You're a spectator on Tuesday behind the 10th tee. Don't you want to see MORE tries at a long ball in the fairway -- not LESS?

"You sound like one of those soccer parents who want a trophy for their kid for finishing last"

"And isn't THAT what we're trying to determine here?"

@Ben, the point is this: the PGA is bringing back a fun thing, who the hell really cares who wins. They made the rules, put a ball down, and see who wins. Why the tweaking of everything? And no, it's obviously not what they are trying to determine. This is a fun thing. No one is receiving a check for 250k. We already know who the longest hitter on the PGA Tour is by the stats.